What They Said

"Every appearance of hypocrisy, does not prove the person who manifests it to be a hypocrite. You should carefully distinguish between the appearance and the predominance of hypocrisy. There are remains of deceitfulness in the best hearts; this was exemplified in David and Peter; but the prevailing frame of their hearts being upright, they were not denominated hypocrites for their conduct."

John Flavel

"Study, not to be more knowing, but to be more holy, and to make others so. ….. It is one thing for a man to fill his understanding and memory with truths, and another, to nourish his heart with them.”

Thomas Wilson

“The truth is, you have never yet known real pleasure and will not until you come to Christ. For only in Christ are true pleasures to be found.  A few moments with Christ are to be preferred to an eternity with the cursed pleasures of this world (Proverbs 3:13-18, Psalm 16:11)."

John Owen

“The favour of God is the best jewel; it can sweeten a prison, and unsting death. Oh how odious then is that sin, which robs us of our best jewel!"

Thomas Watson

“For even as a house without walls and windows, and other necessary furniture, is accounted forlorn; so that is a very forlorn and naked conscience which is destitute of the knowledge of the Word. And as it is an easy matter to lead the blind out of the way, so the ignorant are easily led and taken in the snares of the devil. And this reproves the negligence of such who are not careful to apply themselves with all diligence to the study of the Word: our negligence herein being the cause of the barrenness of knowledge in these plentiful times. If men would bestow that time in the study of the Word, which they for the most part bestow, some in hunting and hawking; some in dicing and carding; some in drinking, swilling and following bad company; some in sloth and idleness; thus wisely redeeming the time: then certainly knowledge would abound among us, as the waters that cover the sea.  Even as in matters of the Word, though a man have never so good a trade; yet without labor and diligence he can do no good in it: and as the diligent shall bear rule and stand before kings: so knowledge shall increase to the diligent, when the negligent shall be under darkness."

Elnathan Parr

(1597-1632)

"Any man who disturbs the false peace of sinners, must expect to be ill-treated, and reproached and defamed.”

Thomas Wilson

(From:  Maxims of Piety, and of Christianity)  

“Suffering brings discouragements, because of our impatience. 'Alas!' We lament, 'I shall never get through such a trial.' But if God brings us into the trial he will be with us in the trial and at length bring us out, more refined. We shall lose nothing but dross (Zechariah 13:9). From our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, but by the Spirit's assistance we can bear the greatest.”

Richard Sibbes

"Christianity especially has always thrived under persecution. At such a season she has no lukewarm professors; no adherents concerning whom it is doubtful to what party they belong. The Christian is then reminded at every turn, that his Master’s kingdom is not of this world. When all on earth wears a black and threatening aspect, he looks up to heaven for consolation; he learns practically to consider himself as a pilgrim and stranger. He then cleaves to fundamentals, and examines well his foundation, as at the hour of death. When Religion is in a state of external quiet and prosperity, the contrary of all this naturally takes place. The soldiers of the church militant then forget that they are in a state of warfare. Their ardor slackens, their zeal languishes. Like a colony long settled in a strange country, they are gradually assimilated in features, and demeanor, and language, to the native inhabitants, till at length almost every vestige of peculiarity dies away."

William Wilberforce

"Men compare themselves with men, and readily with the worst, and flatter themselves with that comparative betterness. This is not the way to see spots, to look into the muddy streams of profane men's lives; but look into the clear fountain of the Word, and there we may both discern and wash them; and consider the infinite holiness of God, and this will humble us to the dust."

Robert Leighton

"Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds."

Thomas Jefferson

"I think our governments will remain virtuous for many centuries; as long as they are chiefly agricultural."

Thomas Jefferson

"It is a fact that unless children are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, they, and the society which they constitute or control, will go to destruction.  Consequently, when a state resolves that religious instruction shall be banished from the schools and other literary institutions, it virtually resolves on self-destruction."

Charles Hodge

“A democracy is, amongst civil nations, accounted the meanest and worst of all forms of government.”

John Winthrop

“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your Freedom!  I hope you will make good use of it.  If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”

John Adams

"We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.'

A.W. Tozer

"Look not to yourselves! You are by nature wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.  Look simply unto Jesus."

J.C. Ryle